'antideflation' originates from modern English formation combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') and the noun 'deflation' (from English 'deflation', ultimately built from Latin elements such as 'de-' plus a form related to 'flare' meaning 'to blow' in earlier usage), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'deflation' referred to a reduction in the general price level.

'deflation' developed in English from the verb 'deflate' (itself formed from Latin-derived elements meaning to 'let air out' or 'reduce'), and in contemporary usage came to mean a drop in prices; 'antideflation' is a later, specialized compound formed by adding 'anti-' to 'deflation' to denote opposition to or measures against that phenomenon.

Initially, the components conveyed the literal senses of 'against' and 'reducing/letting down'; in contemporary economic usage the compound specifically denotes opposition to or measures countering falling prices, a meaning that has been stable since the term's formation.